ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — First baseman Nathaniel Lowe is seeking a salary of $11.1 million, while the Washington Nationals have countered with a figure of $10.3 million during the last arbitration hearing of the season.
A ruling from the arbitration panel, which includes members John Woods, Walt De Treux, and Janice Johnston, is anticipated by Saturday.
Last season, Lowe posted a batting average of .265, hitting 16 home runs and achieving a personal best of 89 RBIs while playing for the Texas Rangers. He was traded to Washington on December 22 in exchange for left-handed pitcher Robert Garcia.
Previously, Lowe earned $7.5 million in salary and remains eligible for arbitration next offseason, with the potential to enter free agency following the 2026 World Series.
Throughout this arbitration period, teams and players have split the outcomes of eight prior hearings, with the total of nine hearings being the lowest since 2021.
From a pool of 169 players eligible for arbitration after the November 22 tender deadline, only 17 ended up going to hearings following the exchange of figures on January 9.
Among the decisions made, clubs managed to prevail against St. Louis outfielder/infielder Brendan Donovan, who sought $3.3 million but was awarded $2.85 million, and New York Yankees reliever Mark Leiter Jr., who was granted $2.05 million instead of his requested $2.5 million. Furthermore, Pittsburgh pitchers Dennis Santana and Johan Oviedo received $1.4 million and $850,000 respectively, rather than their demands of $2.1 million and $1.15 million.
On the other side of the outcome, the Los Angeles Angels’ infielder Luis Rengifo was awarded $5.95 million, surpassing his request of $5.8 million, and St. Louis outfielder Lars Nootbaar received $2.95 million instead of $2.45 million. Additionally, Cardinals pitcher Andre Pallante claimed $2.1 million over his requested $1,925,000, while Angels outfielder Mickey Moniak secured $2 million instead of $1.5 million.